Tips to help seniors care for their feet
- Avoid pressure from shoes that don’t fit right.
- Keep feet clean, warm and dry.
- Check your feet regularly, or if you are unable to see your feet adequately, ask for help.
- Keep blood circulating to your feet as much as possible. Do this by putting your feet up when you are sitting or lying down, stretching if you’ve had to sit for a long while, walking, having a gentle foot massage, or taking a warm foot bath.
- Trim toenails straight across. Avoid cutting nails too short.
- Avoid exposing your feet to cold temperatures.
- Don’t sit for long periods of time (especially with your legs crossed).
- Don’t smoke because it decreases blood supply and increases the chance of swelling and other circulatory problems.
- Avoid walking barefoot and wear comfortable shoes that fit well.